Mumbai Crime: Man suspects wife of having affair, throws acid on her face

Cops said Ajay Raut, a rickshaw driver, was drunk at the time the incident occurred in Vasai

A 39-year-old man threw acid on his wife early yesterday morning in Vasai (West), because he suspected her of having an affair. The woman sustained serious injuries to her face, hand and stomach, receiving 20 per cent burns.

The husband, who was drunk when he attacked her, was arrested soon after. The accused, identified as Ajay Raut, is a rickshaw driver, and his wife, Aarti, works in a private firm as a clerk.

The police said that Raut was consumed with jealousy, and he decided to damage her face as “she looked beautiful”, to seek revenge. The couple had fallen in love at the time when Ajay would drive Aarti to and from her college, and they tied the knot 15 years ago.

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They have two children, aged 5 and 7. One month ago, they had a fight after which the woman went to stay at her parents’ home at Malbhatwadi in Vasai. According to police officials, around 7 am on Thursday, Ajay went to his wife’s place with a bottle of acid. Aarti saw him outside the house and when she met him, he flung it at her.

While she managed to save her two children, who were near them at the time of the incident, she herself was scalded. Later, she was taken to Sir D M Petit Hospital in Vasai, where doctors saved her.

Doctors at the hospital said, “The victim was severely injured and was burned almost 20 per cent. She is under treatment, and is out of danger.”Aarti’s cousin Derick said, “Ajay was harassing my sister for the past year.

Many a time he beat her up her in their house. He always doubted her character, and was wrong to do so. A few months ago, they had a fight and she consumed poison to kill herself, but doctors managed to save her life.”